And the 86-year-old tips McIlroy to end his eight-year Major drought at The Open next month.Player believes golfers are now following in his footsteps of over 60 years ago – when he embarked on a career that saw him lift nine Major titles, including three Open Championships.
“I see a lot of Rory. He’s a member of Jack Nicklaus’ club, called The Bear’s Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. I’ve spent a lot of time there.“He’s got the power, the right ingredients, balance. There’s no one who comes close – maybe Justin Thomas, in terms of having a great swing. “And we are heading into a new era where people are realising that if you don’t do your weight training, follow your diet, sleep well and laugh a lot, you won’t win tournaments. Yes, there are a lot of things that make up a champion.
“He was hitting a ball that went 80 yards less than it does today and you raked the bunkers with your feet. He might be the best that ever lived. People forget that a successful eight-foot putt counts exactly the same as a 350-yard drive.”It is a far cry from his first appearance at the Old Course.